Birds on song with Ashorne victory

STRATFORD Table Tennis League Division One is developing into a really interesting contest and with all of the teams recording a healthy number of points, anyone could lift the winter title, reports Kevin Taylor

Bengeworth continued their great form by defeating Shottery 9-6 however the ever consistent Gary Stewart was undefeated on the night picking up the player of the match award. League leaders Snitterfield had a convincing 14-6 victory over Henley thanks to a great performances from skipper John Price and Phil Paine. The all-Stratford clash saw Jets defeat Bats 14-6 .

Division Two saw Willersey defeat Stratford Bards 13-10 with Mark Bridgeman picking up the player of the match award. In a very closely contested match, Stratford Tigers just managed to defeat FISSC 11-10 with the latter’s Robert Bartkowski picking up the player of the match award. In a re-arranged fixture, Angry Birds defeated Ashorne 15-2 – a great performance by Alberto Vitale and Robert Tkaczyk.

Stratford and District Table Tennis Association’s priorities are to increase participation overall but in key areas such as women and girls, ethnic minorities and players with disabilities. If you have any projects that address any of these areas we would be very interested in supporting them. Please contact me directly at kjtstratford@outlook.com.

Stratford Table Tennis Club is set to be the first in the UK to play 2Pong – a sport developed during lockdown in Canada.

The Battaglia family’s love of paddle and racquet sports saw them experiment while in the basement of their home in Ontario, using different objects as paddles.

Now we are running sessions each Monday and Friday at Meon Vale Leisure Centre for anyone interested to give it a try and we will also be showcasing the sport at the National Table Tennis Championships in March next year.

In 2Pong, two paddles are worn on a player's hands like gloves and the server must make a serve on each hand.